Federal investigators early today cracked down on a heroin and cocaine ring that they say

has ties to two popular strip clubs in Buffalo's suburbs.

Police early this morning raided Rick's Tally-Ho on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga and the

24KT Solid Gold Club on Lakeshore Road in Hamburg.

People who frequent the two clubs — including some strippers and managers — have been

under investigation by the FBI-led Safe Streets Task Force for months, law enforcement

officials told The Buffalo News.

About 25 people are expected to be arrested today in connection with the drug ring,

authorities said. Defendants are to be arraigned at Buffalo's federal courthouse.

Jay Vellon of Seventh Street Buffalo was identified in court papers, as the leader of a drug

network that deals heroin. The documents allege that Vellon hires "a lot of strippers" who

sell heroin for him at both of the clubs that were raided today.

Court papers also quote a government informant as stating that both strip

clubs have "private rooms" where Vellon would go to have paid sex with

strippers.

"The private rooms have no cameras. [The informant] stated that Vellon pays anywhere from

$150 to $200 to use the rooms in the clubs for sex," State Police Investigator Shales Caicedo

said in court papers.

Vellon is accused of illegally possessing guns, including a sawed-off

shotgun and several other weapons, in the documents.

Most of the accused were in police custody by 7:30 a.m. today, said Earl Gould,

spokesman for the Buffalo FBI office.

"We've executed search warrants at two strip clubs, and arrest warrants at other

locations. So far, we've encountered no problems," Gould said shortly before 8 a.m.

Neither strip club was open when police raided the locations this morning, police said.

At Rick's Tally-Ho, a team of a half-dozen officers, including Cheektowaga Police, State

Police and FBI agents, were seen going into the night spot at 6 a.m. After a few minutes, one

member of the search team came outside and signaled for other investigators and a police dog

to come inside.

A Cheektowaga officer in a marked cruiser sat outside the strip club. The officer

advised a reporter to contact the FBI for information.

An electronic sign outside the strip club indicated that it is open for business every

night until 4 a.m., except for Sundays, when it closes at 3 a.m.

Rick Snowden holds the liquor license and is the principal owner of Rick's Tally Ho. He could not immediately be reached for comment this morning, but Tony Farina, a

long-time friend who has worked as a consultant for Snowden, said he is certain Snowden had no

knowledge of drug dealing at his club.

"To my knowledge, Rick would never harbor or condone any illegal drug activity on his

premises," Farina said. "I haven't spoken to him yet today, but I'm sure he's quite taken

aback by these allegations."

Farina added: "[Snowden] is dedicated to this community. He has donated generously to many

good causes...He runs a gentlemen's club where people can go to pass some time."

Christina Whipple holds the liquor license for 24KT Solid Gold Club in Hamburg.

Neither Snowden or Whipple are named as defendants in a 183-page criminal complaint filed by

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael McCabe and George Burgasser.

Drug prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office are handling the case. Investigators

include Buffalo FBI agents, State Police, agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms & Explosives, Cheektowaga Police, Amherst Police, state parole officers, Erie County

probation officers and Hamburg Police.

Hamburg's 24KT Solid Gold Club was in the news last month after Hamburg Police officers,

whose names have not been made public, were suspended after being seen in the strip club's

parking lot while on-duty and in a marked police car. Authorities said the two officers had

not been summoned to the strip club for any official business.

Authorities who told The News of the two suspensions said the incident took place early on

the morning of Jan. 23 and did not involve sexual misconduct by the officers. Town Supervisor

Steven J. Walters said the incident involved a "lapse in judgment" by the officers and said

the town considered it a personnel matter.